Navratri, also known as Shardiya Navratri, is a festival widely celebrated throughout Northern and Eastern India. Navratri 2022 starts on September 26, Monday and will end with the Vijaya Dasami celebration on October 05, Wednesday. The start of the Hindu New Year is seen as occurring on the first day of Chaitra Navratri in 2022. In Navratri, the Hindu’s worship Maa Durga and seek blessings.

The festival of Navratri celebrates the tenth day as the day of the good winning the fight over evil. This fight lasted nine nights between good and evil. Devotees worship Mother Durga as the goddess of strength, vitality, and knowledge during this time.

The celebrations of Navami, Durga Puja, and Dussehra are marked throughout these days throughout the nation with devotion and dedication by devotees. Shardiya Navratri starts on the Pratipada date of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashwin, according to the Hindu calendar. Nine different incarnations of Goddess Durga are worshipped during this nine-day festival. Dashami is the day on which Dussehra is observed.

Since these days are regarded as the most effective and auspicious days, people all around the world observe worship at these times. Little girls’ feet are touched, and they are revered as goddesses. Hinduism holds Navratri 2022 to be a particularly sacred day.

When is Navratri celebrated?

Typically, Navratri is observed twice a year: once in the spring (Chaitra Navratri) and once in the fall (Sharad Navratri). According to the lunar calendar, astronomical changes occur at each of these times.

Hindu devotees worship Maa Durga and ask for blessings during Navratri. The establishment of the Kalash marks the beginning of the ceremonies.

During the nine-night festival, devotees offer prasad, participate in the Dandiya Raas and Garba, and pray to the goddess Durga.

The festival of Durga Puja is held on the sixth day of Navaratri. This will last for four days and then end with Vijayadashmi.

Navratri 2022: Mahurat calendar

 

DAY AND DATE	FESTIVAL	TITHI
Monday, September 26	Ghatasthapana /Maa Shailputri Puja	Pratipada
Tuesday, September 27	Maa Brahmacharini Puja	Dwitiya
Wednesday, September 28	Maa Chandraghanta Puja	Tritiya
Thursday, September 29	Maa Kushmanda Puja	Chaturthi
Friday, September 30	Maa Skandamata Puja	Panchami
Saturday, October 1	Maa Katyayini Puja	Shashti
Sunday, October 2	Maa Kalratri Puja	Saptami
Monday, October 3	Maa Maha Gauri Puja	Ashtami
Tuesday, October 4	Maa Siddhidhatri Puja, Maha Navami, Vijay Dasami	Navami/ Dasami

Significance of Navratri

A variety of stories are linked to the origins of Navratri in mythology.

Chaitra Navratri is also referred to as Rama Navratri in various regions of northern India. The ninth day of the Navratri festival marks Rama Navami, the birthdate of Lord Rama. The celebrations in Chaitra, which is also known as the New Year’s month, are depicted in the Hindu lunar calendar. In Maharashtra, the festival starts with Gudi Padwa, while in Andhra Pradesh, it starts with Ugadi.

The Gods in heaven were at war with Mahishashur, the King of Demons. The trinity of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu combined their divine energies to give birth to the mother of power, Shakti, to defeat him. As a result, the goddess Durga was born, and after nine nights of furious battle, she killed Mahishasur with her strength and knowledge. Thus, the tenth day of victory—the day of the triumph of good over evil—is celebrated as Vijaya Dashami.

To free Sita from Ravana’s imprisonment in Lanka, Lord Rama was preparing to begin a war against evil. Rama knelt to the goddess Durga and asked for her blessings before the battle began. He required 108 lotuses for the puja. Rama was ready to cut off one of his eyes to complete the count when Goddess Durga appeared and bestowed upon him her divine shakti. The battle was won by Rama that day.

During Navratri, Uma, the daughter of Daksh, the Himalayan king, is believed to return home for ten days. This festival marks Uma’s return to earth after her marriage to Lord Shiva.

Navratri: Nine Avatars of Goddess Durga

Devotees observe the festival with great devotion and prayer for nine nights. Each day of the festival is dedicated to one of the avatars of Durga Maa. To respect and honour each day, devotees have to wear the right colour.

Day 1: Shailaputri /Pratipada

Goddess Shailaputri is worshipped on Pratipada. Putri means daughter, while Shaila means mountain. Goddess Parvati is given importance on this day since she is the Mountain God’s daughter.

Orange is the colour associated with Goddess Shailputri, and devotees celebrate by decorating their home and puja space with orange flowers and wearing orange-coloured garments from their closets.

The first day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailaputri and she is offered desi ghee as bhog.

Day 2: Brahmacharini/ Dwitya

Goddess Brahmacharini, an incarnation of Durga Devi on Dwitiya, is known for her ability to calm people down. As a result, this Goddess is honoured on the second day.

The goddess Brahmacharini represents love and loyalty. She is a deity who is shown holding a water pot in her left hand and a rosary in her right. On this day, devotees decorate their homes with jasmine or white lotus flowers.

 On the second day of Navratri, sugar is offered to Goddess Brahmacharini to promote prosperity and good health.

Day 3: Chandraghanta/ Tritya

Devotees worship Chandraghanta on Tritiya. She is said to possess a third eye and battle against evil demons. Jasmine blossoms are offered during puja to please her.

 Red is the colour of the Goddess Kali. The colour red denotes strength, power, and fierceness. On Tritya, from decorating the house with bright red flowers to offering red-coloured fruits as prasad, devotees celebrate the power of red on this day. 

The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta, and offering kheer or any other delicacy made with milk is considered good.

Day 4: Kushmanda/ Chaturthi

The day of Chaturthi is devoted to the goddess Kushmanda. Her name means “cosmic egg,” and she is renowned for bringing warmth and energy to everyone.

Among the nine Navratri colours, royal blue is one of the most popular. Due to her eight hands, goddess Kushmanda, also known as Ashtabhuja Devi, is honoured with the colour. Her name, which is a combination of warm energy and cosmic egg, is said to have been the world’s creator when she smiled. It is thought that worshipping the goddess and dressing in blue during Navratri will increase your health, prosperity, and power.

Malpua is offered as bhog to Goddess Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri.

Day 5: Skandamata/ Panchami

Goddess Skandamata is the one who rules over Buddha on Panchami (the Mercury planet). She is revered because it is thought that she is strong and kind.

As the colour of wisdom and knowledge in Hinduism, yellow is one of the Navratri colours prominently displayed throughout this festival. The goddess Skandmata, the mother of Lord Karthikeya, wears this colour (Muruga). On this day, use a lot of Haldi (turmeric). Use turmeric in your food, on your skin, and even during your prayers.

Fresh Banana is offered as bhog to Goddess Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri.

Day 6: Katyayini/ Shashti

According to legend, Durga assumed the shape of Devi Katyayani on the sixth day, known as Shashti, to kill the King of Demons. Women offer prayers to have a happy marriage and family.

When celebrating Navratri, wearing green is such a lovely colour. It represents fresh starts, growth, and fertility. Mother Nature’s colour is green, and Katyayani the goddess is also honoured with this shade. She is the goddess who destroyed the demon Mahisasuran.

On the sixth day of Navratri, honey is offered to Goddess Katyayini to gain fame and wealth.

Day 7: Kalaratri/ Saptami

The day of Saptami is specifically devoted to the goddess Kalaratri. She is believed to be fierce and to have frightened evil spirits from all corners of the globe. She is Lord Shani’s ruler and Kali Devi’s most terrible incarnation (Saturn Planet).

Grey is a sober and elegant colour. Gray is also used to honour the virtue of the goddess Kalaratri. She is the seventh incarnation of the goddess Parvati and is regarded as the destroyer of all evil. Devotees wear grey and pray to the goddess to remove everything negative from their life.

On the seventh day of Navratri, jaggery is offered to worship Goddess Kalaratri.

Day 8: Mahagauri/ Ashtami

On the eighth day, Mahagauri is worshipped. On a special day, she only wears white clothing and rides a bull. Kanya Puja, a special ceremony for young virgin girls, is held over the occasion. Maha Ashtami or even Maha Durgashtami are named for this day. Dance, entertainment, and prayers are used to honour the day.

One of the colours used during Navratri to honour the goddess Mahagauri is pink. People worship Goddess Mahagauri, a Durga avatar, in the hope to be free from all human suffering. The colour pink represents wisdom and harmony.

Coconut is offered as bhog to Goddess Mahagauri on the eighth day of Navratri.

Day 9: Siddhidhatri/ Navami

Devi Siddhidhatri is given the honour of Navami. She can grant all of your wishes, so the ninth day is devoted to her.

Siddhi denotes a superhuman ability, while dharti denotes the provider. She then, therefore, bestows humans with extraordinary abilities. She equips humans with mystical abilities. The ninth day of Navratri is a great time to dress up in peacock green.

Goddess Siddhidharti is worshipped on the ninth day, and sesame seeds, poori, halwa, and kheer are offered as bhog.

 

Day 10: Vijayadashami (Dussehra)

The tenth day is reserved for Vijayadashmi after the nine days of devotion. a day when fresh beginnings in life are possible. The event, also known as Vidyarambham, introduces children to the world of education. A major element of the Vijayadashmi rites is Sindhoor Khela.

 

Rituals of Navratri

One of the important Hindu holidays celebrating the goddess Durga or Shakti is Navratri. The rituals begin with a hard nine-day fast during which devotees avoid eating grains, onions, meat, and alcohol. Then, devotees sing devotional songs throughout these divine nine nights. To pray to the mother deities and obtain their full blessings, devotees visit temples and other places of worship. One of the auspicious customs associated with Navratri is giving bhog to young girls (especially in the last three days).

For the first three of the nine nights of worship, Goddess Durga is worshipped as “Shakti,” the goddess of power; for the next three, she is adored as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; and for the last three, she is worshipped as Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.

The house is dusted in preparation for the celebrations to welcome the Goddess into their home. For the entire nine days of the puja, the worshippers fast. Satvik meals include potatoes, “kuttu ka atta,” curd, and fruits during a fast. The worshippers worship the goddess all day long while chanting the Navratri mantras. On the ninth day after the “havan,” the fast is broken and the prasad is consumed with the family.

 

Navratri in the Different States

Navratri, also known as Durga Puja, is the festival of the year in Eastern India. Different cultural events happen at this time, and large pandals are set up and lit with lights.

The Navratri dance is Garba and Dandiya in Gujarat and Maharashtra, where locals dance while wearing traditional attire and holding dandiya sticks.

During Navratri, special zatras start in Goa, and the Saraswat Brahmin temples are decorated. The Dasha Maitrikas are worshipped by devotees using sandalwood paste, kumkum, and new attire and accessories.

In Kerala, Ayudha Puja is performed on the ninth day to bless all the household tools.

Navratri Kalash Sthapana Puja

During Navratri, the Ghat or Kalash Stapana ritual is significant. It is stated that performing this clears the house of all the negative energy. The Kalash should be set up during the auspicious hours of 6.11 am to 7.51 am on September 26, 2022. According to Hindu Panchang, the most auspicious direction to install the Kalash is thought to be toward the northeast.

Usually, Chaitra Navratri starts in March or April. People choose to perform Kalash Sthapana puja in their private homes and places of employment. People even hire a priest to do the Kalash puja rites and keep a Kalash at the place of worship. On the first day of Navratri, there is an ideal way to install a Kalash. Chaitra Navratri Kalash Sthapana Puja Vidhi and steps are given below.

 

Steps to follow:

 1. The first thing to do in the morning must be to get up early and take a shower.

2. Clean the place where the Kalash will be kept after you have cleaned the idols.

 3. Next step is to drape a red cloth over a wooden seat, repeat the Ganesh mantras, and then scatter uncooked rice over the red fabric.

4. You must construct an altar out of the earth and plant the barley seeds inside.

5. After that, place the Kalash on the ground and add some water to it.

6. Use the vermillion paste to create a swastika on the Kalash, then fasten a sacred thread around its neck.

7. Keep some mango leaves inside the Kalash and add betel nuts and coins.

8. Take a coconut now, and wrap it with a crimson Chunari and a holy thread.

9. Put this coconut on top of the Kalash and offer a prayer to the almighty Deity.

10. Offer flowers to the deities and worship from the religious mind and the soul.

It has been proven that the Kalash Sthapana puja can help us attract greater health, money, and prosperity into our life.

DeshGujarat